Business Financial Calculator El-733A Manual

Calculate complex financial metrics including time value of money, cash flows, and business valuations with this interactive EL-733A simulator

Comprehensive Sharp EL-733A Business Financial Calculator Manual

The Sharp EL-733A is a professional-grade financial calculator designed for business professionals, accountants, and finance students. This comprehensive manual will guide you through all the calculator’s functions, from basic operations to advanced financial calculations.

Key Features of the EL-733A

• Time Value of Money (TVM) calculations
• Cash flow analysis (NPV, IRR, NFV)
• Amortization schedules
• Depreciation calculations (straight-line, declining balance, sum-of-years)
• Break-even analysis
• Cost-sell-margin calculations
• Statistical functions
• Two-line display for easy verification

Getting Started with Your EL-733A

Basic Operations

The EL-733A functions as both a standard calculator and a financial calculator. For basic arithmetic:

1. Turn on the calculator by pressing ON/C
2. Enter numbers using the numeric keypad
3. Use the +, –, ×, ÷ keys for basic operations
4. Press = to complete the calculation
5. Use ON/C to clear the current entry or AC to clear all

Setting the Decimal Places

To set the number of decimal places displayed:

1. Press 2ndF then SETUP
2. Press the number key corresponding to your desired decimal places (0-9)
3. Press 2ndF then SETUP again to save

Time Value of Money (TVM) Calculations

The TVM functions are among the most powerful features of the EL-733A, allowing you to calculate:

• Number of periods (N)
• Interest rate per period (I%)
• Present value (PV)
• Payment amount (PMT)
• Future value (FV)

Entering TVM Mode

1. Press 2ndF then TVM to enter TVM mode
2. The display will show “TVM” in the upper left corner
3. Enter values for the known variables (N, I%, PV, PMT, or FV)
4. Press the key for the unknown variable you want to calculate

Payment Timing

The EL-733A allows you to specify whether payments occur at the beginning or end of each period:

1. Press 2ndF then PMT
2. Press 2ndF then BEG for beginning-of-period payments
3. Press 2ndF then END for end-of-period payments (default)

Cash Flow Analysis

The cash flow functions allow you to analyze uneven cash flows using Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) calculations.

Entering Cash Flows

1. Press 2ndF then CF to enter cash flow mode
2. Enter the first cash flow amount and press CF
3. Enter the frequency of this cash flow and press 2ndF then ENTER
4. Repeat for each cash flow
5. After entering all cash flows, press 2ndF then NPV or IRR to calculate

Depreciation Calculations

The EL-733A can calculate depreciation using three methods:

Method	Description	When to Use
Straight-Line	Equal depreciation each year	When asset usage is consistent over time
Declining Balance	Higher depreciation in early years	When asset loses value quickly early on
Sum-of-Years’ Digits	Accelerated depreciation based on remaining life	When asset productivity decreases over time

Calculating Depreciation

1. Press 2ndF then DEPR
2. Enter the asset cost and press COST
3. Enter the salvage value and press SAL
4. Enter the useful life in years and press LIFE
5. Select the depreciation method by pressing:
   • 2ndF then SL for Straight-Line
   • 2ndF then DB for Declining Balance
   • 2ndF then SOYD for Sum-of-Years’ Digits
6. Enter the year you want to calculate and press DEPR

Break-Even Analysis

Break-even analysis helps determine the point at which total costs equal total revenue.

Calculating Break-Even Point

1. Press 2ndF then BREAK
2. Enter fixed costs and press FC
3. Enter variable cost per unit and press VC
4. Enter sales price per unit and press SP
5. Press BE to calculate the break-even quantity

Advanced Functions

Amortization Schedules

To create an amortization schedule:

1. Enter TVM mode and input your loan parameters
2. Press 2ndF then AMORT
3. Enter the period number you want to examine and press AMORT again
4. The display will show:
   • BAL: Remaining balance
   • PRN: Principal portion of payment
   • INT: Interest portion of payment

Cost-Sell-Margin Calculations

These functions help with pricing and profitability analysis:

• 2ndF then COST: Calculate cost given sell price and margin
• 2ndF then SELL: Calculate sell price given cost and margin
• 2ndF then MARGIN: Calculate margin given cost and sell price

Memory Functions

The EL-733A has 5 memory registers (M1-M5) for storing values:

• STO + [1-5]: Store value in memory
• RCL + [1-5]: Recall value from memory
• 2ndF then CLR then [1-5]: Clear memory
• 2ndF then ALL: Clear all memories

Statistical Functions

The calculator can perform single-variable and two-variable statistics:

Function	Description	How to Access
Mean (x̄)	Average of data points	2ndF then x̄
Standard Deviation (s)	Measure of data dispersion	2ndF then s
Linear Regression	Best-fit line for data	2ndF then y=a+bx
Correlation Coefficient	Strength of relationship between variables	2ndF then r

Common Errors and Troubleshooting

Even experienced users occasionally encounter errors. Here are some common issues and solutions:

Error Messages

• Math ERROR: Occurs when trying to calculate undefined operations (like dividing by zero). Check your inputs and try again.
• Overflow: Result is too large for the display. Try using smaller numbers or breaking the calculation into steps.
• Underflow: Result is too small for the display. Consider using scientific notation or scaling your numbers.
• Syntax ERROR: Invalid sequence of operations. Clear and re-enter your calculation.

Calculation Issues

• Incorrect TVM results: Verify all inputs are correct and that you’ve specified the correct payment timing (BEG/END).
• Cash flow errors: Ensure you’ve entered all cash flows correctly and in the right order.
• Depreciation problems: Check that salvage value isn’t greater than asset cost.

Maintenance and Care

To keep your EL-733A functioning properly:

• Store in a protective case when not in use
• Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures or moisture
• Clean with a slightly damp cloth (never use harsh chemicals)
• Replace batteries when the display becomes dim (uses 2 LR44 batteries)
• Press ON/C to turn off when not in use to conserve battery

Comparing the EL-733A to Other Financial Calculators

Feature	Sharp EL-733A	HP 12C	Texas Instruments BA II Plus
Display	2-line LCD	1-line LCD	1-line LCD
TVM Calculations	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cash Flow Analysis	Up to 24 cash flows	Up to 20 cash flows	Up to 24 cash flows
Depreciation Methods	3 methods	Limited	2 methods
Break-Even Analysis	Yes	No	No
Cost-Sell-Margin	Yes	No	No
Battery Life	~2 years	~3 years	~2 years
Price Range	$30-$50	$60-$80	$35-$55

Learning Resources and Certification

Mastering the EL-733A can significantly enhance your financial analysis capabilities. Consider these resources:

The IRS Publication 946 provides official guidelines on depreciation methods that you can implement using your EL-733A. This 104-page document covers MACRS depreciation, section 179 deductions, and other tax-related depreciation rules.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission offers educational resources on compound interest calculations, which form the basis of many TVM functions on your financial calculator.

MIT OpenCourseWare provides a free finance course that includes modules on time value of money and capital budgeting – perfect for advancing your EL-733A skills.

Professional Applications

The EL-733A is used across various financial professions:

Accounting

• Calculating depreciation for financial statements
• Determining present values for lease accounting
• Analyzing loan amortization schedules

Corporate Finance

• Evaluating capital budgeting projects (NPV, IRR)
• Assessing cost of capital
• Performing break-even analysis for new products

Real Estate

• Calculating mortgage payments
• Analyzing investment property cash flows
• Determining internal rates of return for properties

Personal Finance

• Planning retirement savings
• Comparing loan options
• Calculating college savings needs

Advanced Techniques

Chaining Calculations

Experienced users can chain multiple calculations together:

1. Calculate a present value
2. Without clearing, use the result in a subsequent calculation
3. Store intermediate results in memory for complex analyses

Using the Grand Total (GT) Function

The GT function accumulates results across multiple calculations:

1. Press GT to view the accumulated total
2. Press 2ndF then GT to clear the grand total

Customizing Settings

Adjust these settings for optimal performance:

• Decimal places: Set to match your reporting requirements
• Round-up switch: Choose between 5/4 rounding or round-up
• Tax rate: Store frequently used tax rates in memory

Exam Preparation

The EL-733A is approved for many professional exams:

CPA Exam

Allowed for the Regulation (REG) and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) sections. Practice these key functions:

• Future value calculations
• Present value of annuities
• Internal rate of return
• Depreciation methods

CFA Exam

Permitted for all levels. Focus on:

• Time value of money
• Cash flow analysis
• Statistical functions
• Probability calculations

Series 7 Exam

Allowed for the exam. Key applications include:

• Bond pricing
• Yield calculations
• Option pricing models
• Margin requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my EL-733A to factory settings?

Press 2ndF then RESET. This will clear all memories and restore default settings.

Can I use the EL-733A for statistical calculations?

Yes, the calculator has both single-variable and two-variable statistical modes. Press 2ndF then STAT to enter statistical mode.

How accurate are the calculations?

The EL-733A uses 12-digit internal precision, providing accuracy suitable for most business and financial applications. For critical calculations, always double-check your inputs.

Is the EL-733A programmable?

No, the EL-733A is not programmable. It’s designed for direct financial calculations rather than storing custom programs.

Can I print results from the calculator?

The EL-733A doesn’t have printing capabilities, but you can manually record results or use the interactive calculator above to generate printable reports.

Conclusion

The Sharp EL-733A is a powerful tool that can handle virtually any financial calculation needed in business, accounting, or finance. By mastering its functions – from basic arithmetic to complex cash flow analysis – you’ll gain a significant advantage in financial decision-making.

Remember that while the calculator performs the computations, understanding the financial concepts behind the calculations is crucial. Use this manual as a reference, but continue to develop your financial knowledge through courses and practical experience.

The interactive calculator at the top of this page allows you to practice all the EL-733A functions without needing the physical calculator. Use it to test different scenarios and deepen your understanding of financial calculations.